On Tuesday Riley Research Associates released a poll that found the governor’s race tied. In that poll Kitzhaber received 40 percent of the vote while Dudley received 39 percent. Sixteen percent said they were undecided.

That poll surveyed 392 voters and had a margin of error of 4.9 percent.

In three consecutive KATUNews/SurveyUSA polls, Kitzhaber has never polled above 44 percent and Dudley has never polled below 46 percent. Additionally, Kitzhaber has never led.

As far as his popularity with men, Dudley said he doesn’t think his history as an NBA player has much influence with those voters.

“I don’t necessarily think so,” he said at an Albany area Chamber of Commerce event where he unveiled a plan to create jobs. “I think maybe it gets the initial attention, but then someone’s going to look at what your policies are.”

The chair of the political science department at Willamette University, Melissa Buis Michaux, said in recent elections men have been more likely to vote Republican, but Dudley’s 19-point lead suggests something else is afoot.

“The Dudley campaign is offering something to men that is appealing to them,” Michaux said. “And this might just be a case where his basketball career is appealing to male voters.”

“Statistics probably would show men are bigger sports fans and probably follow (the) NBA more, so he’s probably more of a known quantity,” said Dan Ripplinger, a Dudley supporter.

One female voter called Kitzhaber “nurturing,” which may explain why Kitzhaber is gaining ground with women and why she dislikes Dudley.

“He’s (Dudley) kind of a run of the mill macho guy-style,” said Maiah Scalise. “He really evades a lot of issues that need to be talked about.”

The Kitzhaber campaign said the KATU News poll shows Dudley is the one not resonating with voters.

“What is most noteworthy is that he isn’t pulling ahead even after outspending us 2 to 1,” said Kitzhaber spokeswoman Jillian Schoene.

“They’re probably not real happy with where they are,” said Dudley. “After all, you have someone who was governor for eight years and in government for 22 years.”

The KATU News/SurveyUSA poll also found that Democrat Ron Wyden has a strong lead over Republican Jim Huffman 54 percent to 38 percent in Oregon’s U.S. Senate race.